The rules behind Maine’s new medical marijuana law are beginning to take shape ”“ and they appear commendably cautious. A legislative committee has completed work on a plan that will now be considered by the full Legislature.

Communities throughout the state, Biddeford among them, are looking to the state for guidance before the new law takes effect.

Voters strongly backed a citizens initiative to provide for marijuana dispensaries last fall, despite concerns raised by police and prosecutors. If marijuana can make seriously ill people more comfortable, a majority agreed that the state should establish a system to make it available.

Lawmakers and state officials now have the challenging task of establishing a dispensary system that is not subject to abuse, but operates effectively for those who need it.

The bill drafted by the committee authorizes a maximum of eight nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries across the state ”“ one for each established public health zone. It’s a small number, and reflects municipal concerns that storefront dispensaries could become a widespread blight.

Patients and caregivers would have to register with the Department of Health and Human Services and obtain an identity card enabling them to grow or purchase medical marijuana.

The committee has worked hard to provide the details that are needed to make a workable law out of the citizens initiative enacted by the voters a year ago.

Maine is now one of 13 states that allows medical use of marijuana. Between the willingness of voters to make this kind of therapy available, and the caution of lawmakers, the state appears to be on its way to a workable system.